At a glance

PROS

CONS

No diesel or hybrid yet

Interior looks dated

Verdict

Infiniti, the premium arm of Japanese giant Nissan, is set to take on its German rivals with a new coupe called the Q60.

Infiniti is a much bigger brand overseas than here in the UK, with the G37 coupe – the Q60’s predecessor – struggling to make a real splash in Great Britain, although it was only on sale here for a short period of time.

It faces some stiff competition though. The Lexus RC is its closest rival conceptually (Lexus is Toyota’s luxury brand), but that also means it’ll go up against the excellent BMW 4 Series, slinky Mercedes C-Class Coupe and high-tech Audi A5.

Sleek styling

Desirability is key in the premium two-door coupe market so it’s a good thing the new Q60 has sharp looks on its side.

There’s Infiniti’s signature grille at the front with slim headlight units incorporating LED daytime running lights, while a distinctive kink in the window line at the side adds some interest and has become an Infiniti hallmark. The rear end is more simplistic and neat, too. It’s less fussy than a Lexus RC but suitably sleek nonetheless.

Nineteen-inch alloy wheels are standard across the range, with larger 20-inch alloys available at extra cost.

Luxurious, ergonomic interior

Infiniti claims the Q60’s interior is modelled around the concept of a driver’s glove. In reality, it’s largely based on the Q50 saloon’s cabin, albeit with more generous lashings of leather and different trims on the dashboard and centre console.

The seats are said to be ergonomically designed to fit with the curvature of the occupant’s spine, reducing pressure and boosting comfort and support.

No doubt it’ll be solid, but it could date quickly and the C-Class Coupe’s upmarket vibe and the new Audi A5’s simple, high-quality dash will take some beating.

Only petrol power for now

Under the bonnet will be a choice of two petrol engines. Kicking off the range is a four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0-litre unit producing 208hp and 350Nm of torque sent through the rear wheels, while an all-wheel drive 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo will arrive further down the line with 400hp and 475Nm of torque.

A seven-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox option for both engines.

Petrol lovers will be pleased, then, but the lack of an efficient diesel could limit the Q60’s appeal in the UK, especially as there isn’t a hybrid version like the Lexus RC300h.

Tech-fest under the skin

The Q60 will come with multiple driving modes and systems to enhance the driving experience, according to Infiniti. These include a driving mode selector, adaptive steering and an electronic suspension system with new dampers.

There will be plenty of equipment inside, too, including noise cancellation technology for a more refined drive, a high-end sound system and several active safety systems as in other Infiniti models – such as intelligent cruise control, blindspot detection, autonomous emergency braking and lane-departure warning.

The interior also features a dual-screen set-up for the infotainment system and vehicle settings also found in the Q50 – named InTuition. There’s a main display like you’ll find in most cars, while a secondary screen lower down the dashboard falls in place of where you’d ordinarily find infotainment and heating controls.

Price and on-sale date

The Q60 goes on sale in October 2016 with prices starting from £33,990, while exact trim levels and specs are yet to be confirmed.